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`Cooperation key to rural water reforms'

Our Bureau

NEW DELHI, July 10

THE Minister for Rural Development, Mr. Sundarlal Patwa, has called for cooperation and coordination between the Government, community and other stakeholders for making reforms in the rural water supply projects successful.

Inaugurating a workshop on implementation of rural water supply sector reform pilot projects, he lamented the lack of involvement of the community in Government programmes leading to poor operation and maintenance practices. He said the Ministry has intr oduced sector reforms as a new concept, whereby the Government is to primarily function as a facilitator and not as the provider.

The Minister emphasised the need for sustainability of resources and of the systems in rural water supply sector. He pointed out that about Rs. 29,000 crores have already been invested in the rural water supply sector since the First Plan period.

Mr. Patwa drew attention to the excessive withdrawal of ground water for various purposes and total neglect of rainwater harvesting, watershed management and water conservation measures which have had their adverse impact on sustainability of water sourc es.

He noted that a decision has been taken to earmark 25 per cent of sub-mission funds under Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP) and 25 per cent of Pradhan Mantri Gramodya Yojana (PMGY) funds for watershed management and water conservation meas ures.

The Minister of State for Rural Development, Mr. A. Raja, said that only if people themselves operate and manage the systems created, their sustainability could be ensured. He pointed out that the sector reforms have been initiated to induce a feeling of ownership in the people.

The day-long workshop was organised by the Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission and UNDP-World Bank's water and sanitation programme, South Asia wing. It will be followed up by four regional workshops of key State functionaries in Kerala, Maharas htra, Uttar Pradesh and Assam by November 2000.